Part One: Booboo is a seven year neutered male, veteran of TV commercials, stage
work and films. When he got a little too grizzled for the camera, his
handler/owner gave him to a family with five children. Later that
family split up, Booboo going with the wife and children in low cost
rental housing. He did just fine, sharing the house with three maltese
terrier, three Himalayan cats and all the disorder of a large family.
Two weeks ago, the housing was condemned and I got a call from the SPCA
that a mastiff was in need and could they send the woman to me
directly. The owner was hysterical over giving up this dog and I
offered to board Booboo until she could get things in order. We agreed
on $50/month to help cover his food costs. Booboo has been here since.
Surprise, surprise, her cheque bounced. Last night she called, and
agreed that if she hasn't got $50 to feed the dog, it was unlikely she
would be able to give him a home in the near future. Booboo has now been
surrendered to rescue. This dog has been living with me for a couple of
weeks and he is very placeable. I've watched him with all the other
dogs - good! with small kids - absolutely excellent! cat - OK! He is
unhappy in the kennel and doesn't mind sharing his woe with the
universal. I would happily place this dog, in complete trust, to any
family situation but preference should be given to families with
children.
I add this four days later: Booboo was raised to be a poodle - toy that
is.I finally relented and have let him sleep in the house with the other
old guys. Since then, you can usually find him sleeping on the couch - not that my dogs are allowed on the couch, but Booboo is seven years old and he's not about
to change for me. If you are looking for a great big teddy bear, who WILL sleep
on your furniture, beg while you eat - staring at you with a big slinger
hanging out, let your children or grandchildren use him as a hill for
their toy cars, doesn't mind when a five year old drop on top of him
and give him a kiss - then this is the dog for you.
Aside from having his own opinions on what his living arrangements
should be, on a scale of 1 to 5, I give this dog a 6!
Part Two
What a wonderful dog! I wish mine were half so mannerly, trained,
discrete and tolerant. To my dismay, Booboo's age worked against him.
Chicago Bullmastiff Rescue group, did find a home for him, but I kept
hoping that a good home could be found for him without the stress of
shipping. At the CKC dog show (where Dick did very well, thank you) an
elderly couple came up to our benching area to see Dick. The gentleman
told me a long story about the mastiff they'd had for years who'd died
recently and how much they'd loved him. His wife had a stroke a year
ago and is paralyzed on her left side, needs a wheelchair and spends
evenings and nights in a care home. The gentleman spoke of how lonely
he'd been. He'd gone to the SPCA and got a cat, but it just wasn't the
same. The old light bulb clicked on - and I told him "I have the
perfect dog for you."
After hearing Booboo's story (the dog from commercials whose family
lost their housing, 7 years old) he said he was very interested. I gave
him my card and told him to call at the kennel. That same evening I got
a call. This man was ready to get a taxi from the city of Calgary out
to my place (45 km.) to get him. I told him there was no rush, but he
felt that there was. The next morning Handi- Van pulled up to my
kennel. The elderly couple with two helpers had come to rescue Booboo.
Because of snow, a very elderly man, an incapacitated woman in a heavy
wheelchair and the nursing home people, the great meeting had to take
place in my drive. Booboo knew all about wheelchairs. Booboo knew
about old people. Booboo knew about Handi-Vans. Basically Booboo knew
exactly what was going on. He walked up to the lady in her chair and
sat beside her. The good side of her face lit up and the word "Dog"
came from her mouth. She pet him and cried.
The gentleman turned to me and said "What do I have to do? What do you
want me to sign?"
I said, "Nothing - he's yours." I took no references, did no home
check, asked for no donation - fire me. I couldn't have kept that dog
from those happy old people and lived with myself. I watched as first
Booboo and then the wheelchair were loaded onto the electic hoist and
into the van. And watched him drive away to the next chapter in his
life.
I did, however, do followup. I talked with the gentleman two days later
to find out how Booboo was doing. Here is what his days are like. In
the morning the lady comes home. She has learned about Booboo's hand
signal training and can summon him, tell him to sit and lay down all
with use of her one good hand. Mid afternoon, the lady goes back to the
care home and then Booboo and his gentleman go out - by taxi - to go
visiting. The Colonel Belcher extended care hospital, sometimes other
care homes, friends homes, and then, to the legion, to have a few and
talk with old friends. The gentleman tells me that he feels like the
luckiest man in the world to have Booboo. He says that one of this
wife's home care workers has agreed that Booboo be willed to her, if he
goes before Booboo does.
